Leaders show little ambition for climate protection

The European Council today agreed an EU climate package setting goals for 2030. Gabi Zimmer, President of the GUE / NGL in the European Parliament, commented  on the results:

“The results of the negotiations show that another chance for an ambitious climate protection package has been lost. The Heads of State and Government showed little ambition and decided on a package full of  bad compromises . Given the threat of climate change, it is shameful that they haggled for hours about whether only 30 or 27 percent of energy should be saved.”

At the last meeting of the European Council, chaired by Herman Van Rompuy, the summit participants agreed to a reduction  in CO2 emissions of  40 percent by 2030 compared to 1990, to increase the share of renewable energy to 27 percent and for energy consumption to be reduced by 27 percent
“Today’s results mean that  EU leaders will not attempt to stop climate change,” said Gabi Zimmer. “I urge EU leaders to commit themselves  by 2030  to at least 50 percent less greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere and to 80 percent by 2050.  We need mandatory quotas to rapidly save energy and expand renewable energy.”

On the debate on the economic situation in Europe,  Gabi Zimmer commented: “Large parts of the population have no confidence in the EU. Mass unemployment and poverty are the result of failed economic, financial and fiscal policies in Europe. We now need no further discussion about observing  missed budget targets. We need massive investments which offer Member States a socially and ecologically sustainable development.”